06-24-74 Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING JUNE 24 1974 IIREGULAR MEETING - RECONVENED (CONTINUED) 11RESOLUTION NO. 430 -74 (CONTINUED) WHEREAS, the Board of Park Commissioners of the Park District of the City of South Bend has determined to take the necessary steps for the construction of a White Water Way Park, Island Park Development, Pier Park Development and Centennial Park Development and for the acquisition of approximately eight (8) acres of land adjacent to the White Water Way Park; and for the complete renovation of Potawatomi Park Zoo, a public park within the City of South Bend, Indiana; and WHEREAS, a petition has been filed under the provisions of Chapter 119 of the Indiana Acts of 1937 by more than fifty (50) owners of taxable real estate of the City of South Bend, Indiana, requesting said Board of Park Commissioners of the Park District of the City of South Bend to issue park district bonds for the purpose of providing funds to be applied on the construction of a White Water Way Park, Island Park Development, Pier Park Development and Centennial Park Development and for the acquisition of approxi- mately eight (8) acres of land adjacent to the White Water Way Park; and for the complete renovation of Potawatomi Park Zoo, a public park within the City of South Bend, Indiana, and on the payment of the incidental expenses in connection therewith and on account of the issuance of bonds therefor; and WHEREAS, the Common Council finds that the construction of such park and park development, the acquisition of approximately eight (8) acres of land and the complete renovation of Potawatomi Park Zoo by the Board of Park Commissioners of the City of South Bend, Indiana, is in the best interest of and will be for the general benefit of the City and its citizens; and WHEREAS, said Common Council agrees that such project must be funded by the issuance of park district bonds; and WHEREAS, it is necessary for there to be an appropriation in an amount not to exceed One Million Seven Hundred Thousand Dollars ($1,700,000.00), in order that the above projects proceed. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Common Council of the City of South Bend, Indiana: That the proposed issuance of park district bonds by the Board of Park Commissioners of the Park District of the City of South Bend, Indiana, in an amount not to exceed One Million Seven Hundred Thousand Dollars ($1,700,000.00), the purpose of which is to pro- vide funds to be applied on the construction of a White Water Way Park, Island Park Development, Pier Park Development and Centennial Park Development and for the acquisi- tion of approximately eight (8) acres of land adjacent to the White Water Way Park; and for the complete renovation of Potawatomi Park Zoo, a public park within the City of South Bend, Indiana, is hereby approved. s/ Roger 0. Parent Member of the Common Council A public hearing was held on the resolution at this time. Mr. James Seitz, Director of the Department of Public Parks, explained that the Board of Park Commissioners was requesting the Council to approve the resolution authorizing the Park Board to proceed with the legal requirement for the issuance of $1.7 million dollars of Park District Bonds. He stated that the proposed bond issue would be for $700,000 for the first phase of the master plan for the renovation of the zoo; $286,000 for the acquisition of three parcels of land adjacent to the Civic Center; $230,000 for the development of Island Park; $39,000 for the development of Centennial Park; $140,000 for the development of Pier Park; $250,000 for the development of the White Water Way; $19,000 for architects' fees; $14,000 for attorney's fees and bond cost and $22,000 for contingencies. Mr. Seitz indicated that, if revenue sharing funds or other funds would be available, the White Water Way development would not be included in the proposed bond issue and that money then would be designated for the zoo renovation. He stated that the Park Board could eliminate any of the pro- jects within the bond issue but could not change them. Councilman Kopczynski wondered if the resolution contained any funds for development of the Belleville Gardens Park, and Mr. Seitz indicated that it did not. Councilman Miller asked who would issue the bonds, and Mr. Seitz indicated that this hearing was to be the last hearing on the bond issue and the Park Board would then negotiate and sign the bonds. He stated that the $1.7 million dollar figure could not be increased. Councilman Miller wondered if some of the areas within the bond could be changed, and Mr. Seitz explained that certain items can be taken out but there could be no changes. Councilman Miller stated that he was concerned about the issuance of t bonds for the Civic Center project. Mr. Seitz indicated that the Park Board had approved the financing and would eventually hold about three public hearings on the necessary resolutions. In January or February, it was hoped the bonds could be sold. Mr. Seitz indicated that the first hearing would be in July. Councilman Miller made a motion to table the resolution and place it on the agenda for the July 8th Council meeting, seconded by Councilman Kopczynski. Council President Nemeth asked about the timetable on the development of Belleville Gardens. Mr. Seitz indicated that the ball diamond was being constructed. Councilman Kopczynski asked if the improvements to b made at Belleville Gardens would only be handled through the Park Department budget, and Mr. Seitz indicated that they would. Councilman Serge could see no reason to table the issue. Councilman Miller explained that he was somewhat confused on what the bond issue covered. He wanted some tim to evaluate the plans for the land acjacent to the Civic Center. Mr. Seitz explained that the resolution was proposed in the broadest scope possible. He urged the Council to pass the resoluti He stated that any of the items could be deleted, if desired. The motion to table the resolution lost. Councilman Newburn made a motion that,the resolution be adopted, seconded by Councilman Serge. Tr resolution passed by a roll call vote of eight ayes (Councilmen Serge, Szymkowiak, Miller, Taylor, Kopczynski, Horvath, Newburn and Nemeth) with Councilman Parent absent.